Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-08-2020, 10:49 PM   #1
daveymc29
Senior Member
 
daveymc29's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Danville, CA
Posts: 1,548
Default 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A

Seems to me that several folks have replaced the front axle with a 4 inch dropped axle and taken a leaf out of the rear spring to make their coupes look like the period hot rods had. Where do you find the axle? I was looking at my coupe as it sits and it appears there is 8 inches from the top of my 600 X 16 front tire to the underside of the fender. Close to that on the rear. Any suggestions and thing to not do?

Thanks,
Dave Mc Arthur
daveymc29 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-08-2020, 11:17 PM   #2
jw hash
Senior Member
 
jw hash's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Auburn Washington
Posts: 2,550
Default Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A

speed way motors has the axles, you want be careful on the drop. it can mess with the tie rod. I have a good contact with them. that is pretty savvy on setting front axles up.
jw hash is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 08-09-2020, 01:30 AM   #3
PotvinV8
Senior Member
 
PotvinV8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 114
Default Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/mode...-adjustment-2/

You're welcome.
PotvinV8 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2020, 10:02 AM   #4
Bob C
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: So Cal
Posts: 8,697
Default Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A

Here's an old thread with a lot of info.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12576
Bob C is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2020, 10:42 AM   #5
Jim Brierley
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,064
Default Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A

Speedway Motors. Their prices are better than most, and good to deal with. I put a Model T spring in the rear of my widebed. In my tudor I removed the top 4 leaves except for the top one, it is needed as it is contoured to match the cross-member.

Last edited by Jim Brierley; 08-09-2020 at 10:45 AM. Reason: added info
Jim Brierley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2020, 11:04 AM   #6
Licensed to kill
Senior Member
 
Licensed to kill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Alberta
Posts: 930
Default Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
I bought mine from "Okie Joe". http://www.joesspeedshop.com/joesproducts.htm He gives a $50 core for your old axle (or will drop yours for you) but I didn't bother as the shipping from Canada would have been more than the core.
Licensed to kill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2020, 11:42 AM   #7
Jack Shaft
BANNED
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,196
Default Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A

Are you running juice or mechanical brakes?
Jack Shaft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2020, 02:05 PM   #8
Jack Shaft
BANNED
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,196
Default Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A

Stock A suspension with a "rubber rake"..205/55r16 front,225/75 r16 rear..

Jack Shaft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2020, 04:15 PM   #9
Chris Haynes
Senior Member
 
Chris Haynes's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Camarillo, CA and Pine Grove, CA
Posts: 2,830
Default Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A

By using a '32-'36 front axle and a Posies reversed eye spring I lowered my car 3". You either have to heat and bend the tie rod arms on the spindle or use Jeep tie rod ends to clear the wishbone.
Posies can also sell you a spring that will drop the car 2" by its self.
__________________
1921 Runabout
1930 Tudor
Early 1930 AA
Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?
Chris Haynes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2020, 05:04 PM   #10
wensum
Senior Member
 
wensum's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 444
Default Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Haynes View Post
By using a '32-'36 front axle and a Posies reversed eye spring I lowered my car 3". You either have to heat and bend the tie rod arms on the spindle or use Jeep tie rod ends to clear the wishbone.
Posies can also sell you a spring that will drop the car 2" by its self.

I'm curious about the Jeep Tie Rod ends solution? I have a '32 front axle which drops the front about 1.5 inches, but on sudden bumps, the tie rod taps the chassis and I haven't found a solution to dropping the tie rod 1.5 inches? Any other suggestions that doesn't include goose necking the tie rod?
wensum is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2020, 07:09 PM   #11
Jack Shaft
BANNED
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,196
Default Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A

Tie rod function gets dicey the further you are away from the line of the king pin..drop too much below the lower king pin bushing and bump steer increases, the spindle gains leverage on the tie rod.
Jack Shaft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2020, 10:10 PM   #12
Chris Haynes
Senior Member
 
Chris Haynes's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Camarillo, CA and Pine Grove, CA
Posts: 2,830
Default Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A

Here you can see the Jeep tie rod ends that drop the tie rod.
__________________
1921 Runabout
1930 Tudor
Early 1930 AA
Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?
Chris Haynes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2020, 11:19 PM   #13
Banger4Sure
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 2
Default Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A

Over on the H.A.M.B. nailheadroadster made a number of posts in the summer of 2018 outlining work that he did on his 29... with a very detailed description of how he lowered his car including pictures and a parts list.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...my-29.1114472/

Here is what he used for the front:
1) 33 Ford axle
2) 32 Ford spindles
3) 32 Ford spring perches
4) Posies 2" front lowering spring (part # 1002L)
5) Stock Model A Ford kingpins
6) Stock Model A Ford brake actuators
7) Stock Model A Ford shackles
8) Stock Model A Ford wishbone
9) 1/4in spacers (2) These go between the TOP of the axle and the wishbone (VERY important!)
10) 32 spindle bolt bushing (reamed to spindle size after installation)
11) 32 spindle bolt rebuild kit, with new bearings
12) 1 ½” shorter pitman arm (this is not required, but definitely helps to ease steering effort)

In the back he used a Model T spring with couple of leaves removed off the top and a couple of alternating leaves after that leaving him with five T leaves total...
Banger4Sure is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2020, 03:53 AM   #14
Johnny Nitro
Member
 
Johnny Nitro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 63
Default Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A

I had Okie Joe drop, and stretch my stock front axle, reverse eye leaf, ‘32 spring perches, and ‘37 Willys tie rod ends, so I could use my stock tie rod. Oh, and a T rear spring

Last edited by Johnny Nitro; 08-10-2020 at 03:59 AM.
Johnny Nitro is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2020, 10:07 PM   #15
wensum
Senior Member
 
wensum's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 444
Default Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A

Thanks Chris #12 What I can't tell from the photo is whether the Jeep tie-rod end comes with it's own ball and therefore requires the replacement of the original Model A ball? I have already replaced the balls on the ends of the steering arms with new balls welded in place.
wensum is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2020, 07:13 AM   #16
Waksk8n
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 10
Default Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A

I’m interested in Jeep tierod question as well. Any more pics?
Waksk8n is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2020, 12:18 PM   #17
katy
Senior Member
 
katy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 4,992
Default Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A

Quote:
Originally Posted by Waksk8n View Post
I’m interested in Jeep tierod question as well. Any more pics?
Also, what year(s) Jeep?
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!.
Got my education out behind the barn!
katy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2020, 03:34 PM   #18
Chris Haynes
Senior Member
 
Chris Haynes's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Camarillo, CA and Pine Grove, CA
Posts: 2,830
Default Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A

Quote:
Originally Posted by katy View Post
Also, what year(s) Jeep?
After I posted the picture I found that my supplier had replaced the Jeep parts I ordered with 1948-1964 Ford Pickup tie rod ends. I see that Speedway has them.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speed...nds,50152.html
__________________
1921 Runabout
1930 Tudor
Early 1930 AA
Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?
Chris Haynes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-2020, 11:10 AM   #19
katy
Senior Member
 
katy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 4,992
Default Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Haynes View Post
After I posted the picture I found that my supplier had replaced the Jeep parts I ordered with 1948-1964 Ford Pickup tie rod ends. I see that Speedway has them.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speed...nds,50152.html
Thanks
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!.
Got my education out behind the barn!
katy is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:46 AM.